Dr. Soffer went to the Arthrex annual Orthopedic Technology and Innovation Forum in Naples, Florida last weekend. Attendees tried different new instruments and techniques for arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery.
What Kind of Doctor Treats Shoulder Bursitis?
Shoulder bursitis is a common condition characterized by aching, swelling and/or acute pain in the shoulder joint when it is moved or pressure is applied. The cause of shoulder bursitis is irritation or inflammation of the bursa. The bursa are small, fluid-filled sacs that provide padding to the shoulder tissues and help facilitate joint mobility. If you are experiencing shoulder discomfort and tenderness, you may be curious about what kind of doctor treats shoulder bursitis.
What Kind of Doctor Treats Shoulder Bursitis?
There are a number of medical professionals who might play a part in the treatment of shoulder bursitis, including a sports medicine physician, an orthopedic surgeon and/or a physical therapist. While the symptoms of shoulder bursitis can often be successfully resolved without surgery, there are some cases in which an inflamed bursa will need to be surgically treated in order for a patient to feel relief.
An orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine is the best care provider for shoulder bursitis. Because this medical professional has the skills and training necessary to provide all types of shoulder bursitis treatment, the patient will avoid having to visit a different specialist in the event that surgery is needed.
A Few Possible Treatment Options for Shoulder Bursitis
Now that you know what kind of doctor treats shoulder bursitis most effectively, we would like to discuss a few treatment options which may be recommended for this condition. As previously stated, many cases of shoulder bursitis can be well managed using conservative methods. First-line treatments for shoulder bursitis include:
- The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation)
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Antibiotics (if infection is present)
As with any joint issue, the right treatment for shoulder bursitis will vary depending on individual factors. These include the patient’s activity level and the severity of their symptoms.
Dr. Soffer Excels in the Treatment of Acute Shoulder Pain
If you are experiencing lingering shoulder discomfort, you may be suffering from bursitis or another shoulder condition. Fortunately, you can depend on Dr. Stephen Soffer to correctly identify the cause of your acute shoulder pain and suggest a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Dedicated to helping his patients heal as promptly as possible, Dr. Soffer offers all the latest and most advanced shoulder care options, with a focus on minimally invasive treatments. If you are ready to explore treatment options with Dr. Soffer, please call our office at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment.
Can a Meniscus Tear Heal Itself Without Surgery?
Generally speaking, the knee is a strong joint which can handle a lot. However, it isn’t always the best at withstanding certain movements. Twisting, squatting and changing positions quickly can all put stress on the knee joint – particularly on its wedge-shaped cartilage called the meniscus. If the strain is great enough, a meniscus tear may result. This can cause symptoms such as knee stiffness, swelling, pain and instability. Should this happen to you, you might wonder: Can a meniscus tear heal itself, or am I going to need surgery?
Can a Meniscus Tear Heal Itself Without Surgery?
As is the case with virtually any orthopedic injury, whether surgery is necessary to heal a torn meniscus will largely depend on individual circumstances. For a specific patient, the answer to “can a meniscus tear heal itself?” will be determined by a combination of these factors:
- Age
- Activity level
- Size of the tear
- Location of the tear
- Pattern of the tear (horizontal, radial, etc.)
- Overall health status
If the tear is located on the outer part of the meniscus, there is a chance that it may heal well on its own. However, if the tear is on the inner two-thirds – where blood supply is limited – it will most likely require surgery.
A patient’s activity level will also play a large role in determining whether they are able to recover from a meniscus tear without surgery. Typically, the more active an individual is, the more likely they are to need surgery in order to return to their normal activities and a pain-free lifestyle.
Seeking Treatment for a Meniscus Tear: Why It’s Important
You may be tempted to “tough it out” and continue your daily activities with a meniscus tear. However, doing so can result in lasting consequences. An untreated meniscus tear can cause more serious knee issues such as arthritis. Further, carrying on with activities can potentially make a meniscus tear more complicated and severe by pulling cartilage fragments into the joint.
Ultimately, finding out if torn meniscus surgery is needed requires examination of the knee by an orthopedic specialist. A skilled orthopedic surgeon can determine the location and severity of your meniscus tear using advanced technology. Taking these findings into account, they will then suggest an individualized treatment plan.
Dr. Soffer Is Here to Help You Recover from a Meniscus Tear
If you are experiencing symptoms of a torn meniscus, you can trust Dr. Stephen Soffer to provide an accurate diagnosis and any treatment you may need. Dr. Soffer is certified in the treatment of cartilage injuries of the knee, making him a highly qualified choice for your knee care.
To set up an appointment with Dr. Soffer, please call our office at 610-375-4949. We are committed to offering exceptional care so that our patients can recover from their orthopedic injuries as quickly as possible.
What Is a Grade 2 Partial MCL Tear?
Known as the MCL, the medial collateral ligament connects the thigh and shin bones. This ligament also provides strength and stability to the knee joint. When an individual takes a blow to the outer knee, it can cause the MCL to be stretched or torn. Those who play contact sports such as football are at an increased risk for MCL injuries, but they can affect anyone. MCL tears/sprains are ranked by severity using a graded scale. For instance, a moderate MCL injury might be described as a grade 2 partial MCL tear.
Types of MCL Injuries: Grades 1-3
Similarly to other ligament injuries, MCL tears and sprains are categorized by grade, with grade 1 being the least severe and grade 3 being the most severe. Here is a brief overview of the three different types of MCL injuries:
- Grade 1 (mild MCL injury) – When the MCL is stretched but not torn, or less than 10% torn, it is referred to as a grade 1 injury. Symptoms of a grade 1 MCL injury are typically mild. They may include minor pain/pressure in the knee, especially when force is applied. These injuries often resolve on their own within 1-3 weeks.
- Grade 2 (partial MCL tear) – Tending to cause swelling, knee instability and more severe pain, a grade 2 partial MCL tear is an incomplete but significant tear. Patients with this kind of MCL injury can expect a recovery period of around 2-4 weeks.
- Grade 3 (complete MCL tear) – A grade 3, total MCL tear may be indicated by symptoms such as difficulty bending the knee, trouble bearing weight and significant pain, swelling and tenderness in the knee joint. The recovery period for this type of injury is generally six weeks or longer.
Many MCL injury symptoms overlap with those of other knee injuries and conditions. If knee symptoms linger, it’s advisable to visit a sports medicine physician so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis and any necessary treatment.
Dr. Soffer Specializes in Caring for Patients with MCL Injuries
Are you experiencing persistent knee discomfort that is interfering with your quality of life? It may be time to see an orthopedic doctor. Dr. Stephen Soffer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating injuries involving the MCL, ACL and other ligaments.
After examining your knee, Dr. Soffer will advise you on the right course of treatment for your injury. He uses cutting-edge methods and prioritizes minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. Above all, his mission is to help his patients make a full and speedy recovery so that they can resume a rewarding lifestyle.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer, please call our office at 610-375-4949. We look forward to helping you resolve your knee issue as quickly as possible.
How Do Doctors Diagnose a Concussion?
Although they are considered a “mild” type of traumatic brain injury, concussions are serious and should be treated as such. While some patients experience concussion symptoms almost immediately following a blow to the head, it can take hours or even days for them to appear. If an individual begins to experience nausea, vomiting, headache, light/sound sensitivity and/or trouble recalling information, they should seek medical attention right away. What is the importance of doing so, and how do doctors diagnose a concussion? Keep reading for answers to these commonly asked questions.
How Do Doctors Diagnose a Concussion?
There are several methods a physician may use in order to determine whether a patient has a concussion and, if so, what kind of treatment is needed. Here are a few possibilities:
- Cognitive testing – Concentration, memory and ability to recall information can all be affected by a concussion. Thus, concussion testing often includes a series of questions designed to assess whether these cognitive skills are intact.
- Neurological exam – A neurological exam may also be conducted to check for signs of a concussion. This will likely include an evaluation of the patient’s balance, hearing, coordination, vision, reflexes and strength/sensation.
- Brain imaging – If a patient’s symptoms are severe or worsening, brain imaging may be used to check whether the head injury has caused swelling or bleeding in the skull. It is common for doctors to order a cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan to evaluate the condition of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used to identify complications or changes in the brain.
Ultimately, the answer to “how do doctors diagnose a concussion?” will vary depending on the type and severity of the symptoms a patient is exhibiting. In any case, prompt examination by a medical professional is crucial when one or more concussion symptoms are present. Seeking a diagnosis early on will allow the patient to receive treatment if necessary. In turn, it will prevent potential lasting impacts such as post concussion syndrome (PCS).
Dr. Gill Has Years of Experience in Evaluating & Treating Concussions
If you or a loved one is showing signs of a concussion, you can depend on Dr. Timothy Gill to provide an accurate diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan. When evaluating a possible head injury, he will ask questions about the accident and the symptoms which are present. Then, he will use a combination of the methods described above to make a diagnosis. Based on what he finds, he will recommend steps and precautions which should be taken to facilitate healing.
If you are concerned about a possible concussion, head injury expert Dr. Gill can typically see you in his office within 24 hours of the head injury. He also offers a weekly concussion clinic. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Gill, call our office at 610-375-4949. We are dedicated to helping our patients manage their concussion symptoms and get the treatment they need to make a full recovery.
What Is a Total Knee Replacement?
In many cases, knee conditions such as osteoarthritis can be managed using conservative methods. However, some patients facing chronic knee pain and disability may require total knee replacement surgery to ease their symptoms. What is a total knee replacement? It’s important to be informed about what this procedure and its recovery process entail before deciding if it’s right for you.
What Is a Total Knee Replacement?
Also known as total knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement surgery involves removal of the diseased joint followed by insertion of an orthopedic implant in its place. Here are the four major steps involved in a total knee replacement:
- Damaged cartilage removal – In order to prepare the knee, your orthopedic surgeon will remove all damaged cartilage from the femur and tibia, plus some of the bone underneath.
- Implant positioning – Replacing the damaged cartilage and bone with plastic and/or metal implants is the next step. The replacement joint will mimic the feeling and function of your natural knee. Once the implants are in place, they will be cemented or “press fitted” into the bone.
- Patella resurfacing – After the implants have been inserted and secured, the surgeon will then resurface the underside of the patella, or the kneecap. This step may be skipped for some patients.
- Spacer insertion – Finally, a medical-grade plastic spacer will be inserted between the implants. This small but mighty device will serve to maximize joint mobility by minimizing friction between the components.
Typically, total knee replacements are performed in the hospital under anesthesia. The procedure usually takes 1-2 hours, and patients generally stay overnight after surgery.
Recovering from Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Now that we’ve answered “what is a total knee replacement?”, we’d like to talk a bit about the recovery timeline for this procedure. As with any kind of surgery, you can expect to experience some pain following a total knee replacement – especially in the first week after surgery.
In the weeks and months following surgery, you will be instructed to perform physical therapy exercises. These will help you regain strength and range of motion in your operated knee. You will have restrictions for up to three months, but you will likely be able to return to work in 2-4 weeks if your job is sedentary. Generally speaking, patients are normally able to resume their regular activities around the three-month mark.
Dr. Soffer Provides Qualified Care for Chronic Knee Conditions
With more than 700,000 performed each year in the U.S., total knee replacements are among the most common orthopedic procedures. For knee replacement surgery and other cutting-edge knee care options, patients in the Reading, PA area depend on Dr. Stephen Soffer.
If you are eager to find the most appropriate solution to resolve your lingering knee discomfort, call our office at 610-375-4949. We look forward to helping you leave knee pain in your past.
